Recovering from Atrial Flutter Ablation had it on the 23rd November 2017

[Saznear]

I am a 60 year old woman. In 2015 I was diagnosed with Atrial Fibulation and put on 1x 50mg tablet of metoprolol per day at the hospital. I also have obstructive sleep apnea and I weigh 110kg. In 2016 I got acceptef for a free gastric sleeve surgery only to find out I couldn't have it done because I have a large internal varicose vein in my stomach. I was so disappointed because I knew I had health conditions that put me in a high risk health category such as obesity, sleep apnea, and atrial Fibulation. I then had to try and loose my weight conventionally by diet and exercise which was going well I had lost 10kilos in 2years and went down two dress sizes from a size 26 to size 22. By doing two sessions of Pilates per week and going on the opti fast diet. Then in July just after I turned 60 I started to feel breathless, dizzy, and I would get very tired. I went to see a Cardiologist who after several episodes of rapid heart rate during a routine echocardiogram I was diagnosed with Atrial Flutter as well as Atrial Fibulation. My medication was changed to half a tablet of 80mg of Sotalol morning and night and 2x 5mg tablet of Apixaban morning and night. The Sotalol made me more breathless because it affected my asthma a side effect of this medication. My cardiologist couldn't change my medication until I agreed to have an Ablatiin for the Atrial Flutter which I had last Thursday. The Doctor who did the Ablation said it was successful. Has anyone else had similar health problems?

[CDreamer]

Hi Saznwar and welcome. I think everyone on this forum has or has had AF and or AFl. I’ve had both with sleep apnea - which is strongly linked to AF - and other autoimmune conditions. I’ve had 2 ablations which left me AF free for just over 2 years and I now have occasional bouts of tachycardia resulting in AF.

People here are knowledgeable and supportive so if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Have you visited the AFA website to download information? You will find a lot of helpful information there.

Best wishes CD

[rosyG]

Hi- one small point Sotalol is not used much now so you could ask your doctor about this Atrial flutter ablation has very high success rates

[ultramarine]

Hello Saznear I have had AF/SVT/Flutter etc. Fortunately this has been resolved now for over 18 months. I also have IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) problems with my weight and diet resolved to a degree on the Fodmap Diet. I suffered for over 4 years with palpitations etc, and one of the medications they put me on was Sotalol which mimics the condition from my point of view. I have been on Metoprolol which was by far the best medication for me, very few side effects and easy to manage and adjust yourself. I am currently on no medication. Without a doubt the weight loss and management helped me enormously and your Cardiologist needs to get up to speed with Medications. You should be speaking to a Specialist Arrhythmia doctor (Electrophysiologist) hopefully your surgeon who did the ablation is one. One important thing that was ignored by my GP and others was the Blood Pressure medication and Arrhythmia medication together produced dizziness (low blood pressure) I am now on half of the dose of BP medication which means no more dizziness.

[Donnieb in reply to ultramarine]

Newbie here. I found your reply helpful as I have had AF for several years, as well as moderate ^ BP. I was placed on Metoprolol (25mg X 2 per day) and have been fairly content with my health (70 yrs old) but recently have had increased chest issues - flutter, thuds, irregular beats... Was wondering what your dosage on the Met. was when you were taking it, and why you are on "no medication" now. Thanks.

[ultramarine]

I hope you are doing well. I was initially on Metoprolol same dose as you, but this didn't last long around 4 months, I was then placed on Sotalol for around 7 months, terrible time with this one, then eventually on Amiodarone, for just over 8 months. The problem was having different types of Arrhythmia together which made it pretty hard to tolerate.

I had decided to use my own trial and error involving Diet and Exercise first, which helped enormously, then after improvements asked to go back onto Metoprolol, which the doctors in the hospital emergency did for me to start with, this worked well, (still on the dose of 25mg x 2) which is considered fairly low eventually going down to 12.5 mg.

The medication and care seemed to be controversial between physicians which prompted me to act this way, but eventually even the Metoprolol and diet alone could not hold it, and I then opted for an ablation, which was quite extreme as 4 veins were ablated due to the different types of Arrhythmia.

I felt great almost straight away, and still do. The controversy between the local Cardiologist and the Electrophysiologist in Sydney was still apparent after the ablation, one suggested keeping on medication and the other said to get off all medication, I opted for 12.5mg lowering the dose gradually over a 3 month period still maintaining the night dose for a further 3 months. My GP did not agree with this but I decided to try it, because it means you can go up if need be at a later stage. So far so good, no problems but I do want to review my diet and weight again as it is creeping back up which doesnt help. I have kept all physicians informed of my decisions. I am 77yrs.

[Saznear in reply to ultramarine]

I just contacted my Cardiolagist after talking to my GP who was concerned about me still being on Sotalol and how my Asthma was not being well controlled because of being on this drug. Just got a phone call from the EP who performed my ablation. He wants me to stop taking the Sotalol and monitor how I go. So I stop today then on the 11th of December I wear a monitor for 24hours. If no problems with my Atrial Fib which I still have because he only ablated the Flutter he will see me on the 10th of January. If there is a problem he will see me sooner. Now I feel a lot more reassured. Also I spoke to my Exercise Physiologist yesterday they have a Heart Management program where they help you get back into exercise when you have had procedures done. It goes for 12 weeks you have 1 hour sessions of exercise and wear a monitor so that they can record how my heart rate is going. I start on the 21st December. Looking forward to hopefully returning to my employment as a Nanny next week, and going back on my weight loss program. My goal is to be at least 100kilos or lighter by at Least Feb 2018. I feel that the EP has done his job of Ablating my Flutter now I have to do my job of changing my lifestyle by loosing the extra weight by eating a healthy diet and doing an exercise program that is safe and productive for me. Looking forward to 2018 where hopefully a new confident and healthier me will emerge😀

[ultramarine in reply to Saznear]

Well done you, its great you are being monitored for your exercises, you need to take it a little bit easy after any op. Make sure you do your deep breathing when you come off sotalol. Good luck on your way forward

[Saznear in reply to ultramarine]

Thank you good luck with your endeavours as well in 2018. Can't believe 2017 went so quickly. Looking forward to 2018 found out last night when having dinner with my Son.at my daughter and her partners house with his mum that Joan and I will hopefully be Grandmothers next year because Amanda and Wayde who have been together for11years are planning on trying to have a baby in 2018. So have to be happy and healthy for that

[ultramarine]

Its a good ending for you in 2017, I hope it continues, I am expecting my 3rd Great Grandchild in June 2018, and a Wedding of one of my Grandchildren later on next year so will hopefully loose some weight and keep in good health for that. Everyone on this forum has helped me in this Journey, so its good to keep in touch. Happy Christmas from Ultramarine in Australia.

[Saznear]

I have been off Sotalol since Friday just taking 2xmg of Apixaban per day 1 in the morning one at night.

My Asthma is better not so breathless but I feel like my heart is beating fast and I am tired and dizzy. Check myself on my AF phone app it comes up no abnormality detected. This morning I found it hard to get out of bed felt so fatigued.. Got up at 12:30 Adelaide South Audtralia time where I live felt my heart beating really fast my heart rate was 138bpm but it still said no abnormality detected. Feel terrible not sure if I should seek medical help. I am now 12days after my Flutter Ablation maybe this is a normal reaction not sure if I am having Atrial Flutter or Atrial Fibrillation Symptoms don't know the difference. Any advise would be helpful.